Nomad Life - Day 112

Back to work...  This morning, I woke up at 0400 (without an alarm) and started teleworking. Meanwhile, the Atmospheric River raged outside - there was some poor visibility early but then a nasty storm (heavy rain and high winds) began and continued through the rest of the morning.  At 0700, I took a short break for breakfast in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express (Astoria).  Otherwise, I kept working and watched the birds birds hunkering down under the Astoria Megler Bridge.  I skipped lunch and kept an eye on the weather outside.  At one point (1200), I could see the other side of the Columbia River (i.e., Washington) so started to hope for improvement before the sun set.  At 1420, I knocked off work for the day and spent time working on addressing some (generic) Christmas Card for the folks I couldn't send the Family Card to (we had too many interested parties).  There was also a bit of time for some financial organization and blog catch up before I was ready to depart the hotel (1500).  Tentatively, I drove across Columbia River on the Astoria Megler Bridge (i.e., US-101).  Not surprisingly, it was very windy and I noticed that several gulls were soaring - stationary - above the guardrails of the highway.  The visibility was still low and there was a steady drizzle/mist. After reaching the other side, I turned west (still following US-101) and drove through a tunnel.  Almost immediately after this, I exited the highway and turned left into Fort Columbia State Park (1530).  The park road looped back over the top of the tunnel and I soon found myself on top of a high hill above the Columbia River.  I would have liked to stop but I noticed some new serious looking Washington State Park pass requirements.  With these as a deterrent, I only took some photos from the hill and then drove back down to US-101.  Containing north and west, I saw lots of signs for the Lewis and Clark Trail (there seemed to be lots of National Park and State Park Units).  As it has been for the last few days, the temps were in the 50s.  Along the way, I stopped in Chinook to drop off my Christmas Cards at the US Post Office.  Across the street from there, I noticed that gas prices much higher than I'd seen in Oregon.  Next, I drove through the town of Ilwaco and got on WA-100 so I could drive into Cape Disappointment State Park.  My route took me in a counterclockwise direction around "Loop 100".  By this point, the rain had stopped, the wind had died down and the sun had appeared for the first time all day.  I took full advantage of this lucky break and made a stop at Beards Hollow Overlook (1550) - such beautiful views!  Next (1555), I stopped to visit the North Head Light.  There were only a few other cars in the parking lot there but I did meet one person who congratulated the two of us on choosing the perfect day for a visit.  With these pleasant thoughts in mind, I took a nice walk to the lighthouse, where I was treated to more amazing views of the Washington Coast.  There were lots of birds soaring overhead and the waves and wind made for a wonderful memory of a December day in the Pacific Northwest.  Knowing I had very limited time left to see more of the State Park, I reluctantly departed North Head by 1610.  I then drove towards Cape Disappointment Light.  Along the way, I saw signs for Waikiki Beach (that was a surprise).  When I reached the parking lot for the Lighthouse, the tall trees made it seem like early evening - undeterred, I started walking as soon as I arrived (1620).  It seemed like the nearby Coast Guard Station would have a better access to the ocean and Light and this ended up being true.  After using a walking a State Park walking trail (down and then uphill), I passed through a fence and on to Coast Guard property.  This allowed me to get some amazing views of a chasm called "Deadman's Cove" - behind the opening in the rocks, the brilliant orange ball of the setting sun blazed across the rolling seas...  I arrived at the lighthouse just after sun set - the orange remnants of Sol descending behind clouds and water were still striking.  A Coast Guard watch-stander arrived at about that time, checking on the lighthouse.  I stayed for some photos of the good views but then quickly returned to my car.  I had been afraid to be locked in the lot by the State Park personnel (or, worse, to get a ticket for blowing off their electronic pass requirements) but, when I got there (1650), the waiting person in his truck just waved.  It got darker almost immediately after I started driving out of the State Park.  Earlier, I'd thought about stopping for food but then decided to drive back to Oregon while I still had a bit of daylight and good weather.  The Columbia River crossing was a bit easier (less windy) and I was following some careful drivers - as a result, I never felt concerned about the high, narrow bridge.  Soon, I was in Astoria, got on to US-30 and arrived at my hotel (1715).  I went to my room, swapped out some items and then went walking on the streets near the hotel (to get the rest of my 10K steps).  I checked out businesses along US-30 and explored the Astoria Riverwalk.  I found a trolley line and followed the tracks between Bay Street Station to warehouses across from Hume Avenue.  Along the way, I passed Maritime Memorial Park, which was full of memorial stones for local mariners.  Eventually, I decided to have dinner at El Tapatio, a family-owned Mexican Restaurant close to my hotel (1745).  It ended up being a very good experience (both for price and food) and I felt very good after I was done eating.  At 1835, I resumed my walk in the area - I walked more of the Astoria Riverwalk (past Basin Street Station to Portway Street) and reached my step goal by 1900.  By then, the rain had started again.  Back in my hotel room, I watched movies, relaxed and read books.  Bedtime was at 2225.  Feeling very good about being able to take advantage of the break in the weather today!